Sport Management

Sport Management

The University of West Georgia Sport Management program (SPMG) is designed to serve
society by developing responsible leaders for the world of sport business. The program
includes:

Action-oriented curriculum in which the students learn by practicing and performing the tasks they will be expected
to do in their professional positions.

Student-centered teaching that is the product of the faculty's commitment to the holistic development of students.

Market-driven instruction that is cutting-edge and ensures that the knowledge bases, skills, and competencies
in the curriculum are those that are demanded by industry employers.

Mutually beneficial partnerships with sport properties that are developed to further solidify the bond between industry
and the university.

The Sport Management program is an academically rigorous program geared to develop
leaders for today's sport industry. Graduates of the program are prepared to compete
for entry-level managerial positions in intercollegiate athletics, professional sport
organizations, governing agencies, golf course administration, health and fitness,
and sport marketing firms among others. The faculty is committed to the advancement
of knowledge and practice in the sport industry through the creation and delivery
of relevant educational programs, conducting and disseminating research, and working
collaboratively with industry organizations.

Sport Management Internships

Sport Management Internships

Recognizing that the internship is a key initial step in beginning a career in the
highly competitive sport industry, this manual has been developed to address procedures
for the internship experience. It is through the internship that students make the
transition from student to professional while honing their skills and building their
network. The successful internship will benefit the student, the site, and the University. The
purpose of the Sport Management Internship Manual is to provide information to students,
faculty, and sites regarding the sport management internship program at the University
of West Georgia. In addition, it is intended to supplement the information given in
the SPMG 4584 Pre-Internship Seminar in Sport Management course.

In accordance with COSMA Guidelines, the internship is designed to be a full time,
professional experience. This experience is designed to assist students in applying
theory learned in the classroom to real-life situations. The internship allows students
to transition from student to professional, gain further experience in an extremely
competitive industry, confirm career choices, and develop their network for the purposes
of future employment and professional development.

The internship takes place at the conclusion of the academic program so that sites
can assume students have internalized the concepts, principles, and theories learned
in their classes and are prepared to apply these to real-world situations. In addition,
should an intern be offered a full-time position with the site, he/she will have completed
all coursework and is prepared to begin employment upon graduation (Cuneen & Sidwell,
2003).

Because interns have made a full-time commitment to the site, they need to evaluate
their continued involvement in extra-curricular activities and outside work in order
to be fully committed to their internship experience (Cuneen & Sidwell, 2003).

Eligibility

SPMG 4584 Pre-Internship Seminar in Sport ManagementStudents should take SPMG 4584 Pre-Internship Seminar in Sport Management in the semester
preceding the internship. Prior to the start of this class, a degree audit should
be conducted to confirm that the student will complete all course work prior to the
student's internship semester.

SPMG 4584 Course DescriptionThis course is designed to prepare the student to make the transition from student
to professional in Sport Management. Topics for discussion will include the following:
internship selection, application materials, interviewing skills, job search, salary
negotiation, and other professional issues. Mentoring during the internship search
process will be provided.

SPMG 4686 Internship in Sport ManagementIn order to intern, the student must have completed all professional courses (professional
content, related content, and approved electives).

SPMG 4686 Course DescriptionField experiences yield the necessity of receiving direction, undertaking responsibility,
and demonstrating competence by applying theory learned from course work. The internship
allows students to complete a partial fulfillment in their degree program and will
help them discover career options and confirm career choices.

Site Selection

Students are responsible for securing their own internship sites. This can be a stressful
process, but it helps acclimate students to the rigors of the job search. Students
must locate appropriate internship experiences, submit application materials, interview
with the site, and accept an internship offered by an approved site. This is typically
done while enrolled in SPMG 4584 Pre-Internship Seminar with support and guidance
from the instructor for the course. When selecting an internship site, students should
keep in mind their professional goals, the experiences available during the internship,
and the professional development opportunities the internship offers.

All sites must be approved by the Sport Management faculty before a student will be
allowed to accept his/her internship for course credit. The approval process is two
pronged: 1) the site must be appropriate, and 2) the activities must be appropriate. Both
criteria must be met in order for a site to be approved. For a site to be approved,
it must be a sport property or have significant involvement in sport and its related
activities (e.g., sponsorships, etc.). Internship activities must be correlative to
the UWG Sport Management curriculum and COSMA guidelines. Further, students need to
make sure that the experience will provide the minimum hours required.

Steps to Site Approval

Make initial contact with the site (phone call, email, respond to a posted position).

Interview with the site and discuss the opportunities for internships.

Submit signed form to SPMG 4584 instructor; the instructor will evaluate the site
and the activities to determine whether the placement will provide the student with
an appropriate experience.

Once the form is signed by the SPMG 4584 instructor, it is approved. Students should
allow one week for a site to be approved/rejected.

Site Confirmation

Once the Application for Internship Approval Form is signed, the internship site is
approved.

In order to confirm the internship, the student must complete the Agency Acceptance Form and submit it to the SPMG 4584 instructor. This form binds the student to that site
for the internship, and, therefore, it should not be completed until the student is
sure he/she wants to complete his/her internship with that particular site.

The SPMG 4584 instructor will provide copies of these forms to the student for his/her
records. Once the Application for Internship Approval and the Agency Acceptance Forms
are complete, the site is confirmed and the student is committed to that internship
site.

After confirming an internship, students must stop soliciting other internship opportunities. Approval
to commit to a different site will only be granted in extenuating circumstances (i.e.
the internship is no longer offered or no longer meets program requirements). Continued
solicitation is unethical and unprofessional and reflects negatively on the student,
the Program, the College, and the University.

Academic Credit

During the internship semester, students will be registered for SPMG 4686 Internship
in Sport Management (12 credit hours). Students will earn a letter grade reflecting
their performance in this course based on the academic assignments and site supervisor
evaluations. It is imperative for students to understand that they are earning academic
credit in addition to professional experience. Thus, there are assignments that must
be completed in order for a grade to be assigned (Sample Syllabus). In order to graduate,
students must complete the internship with a grade of C or better and meet all other
requirements, including minimum GPA.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many hours are required for internships?

Summer internships require 400 hours over 10 weeks

Fall/Spring internships require 520 hours over 16 weeks

Will I get paid for the internship?

That is up to you and the internship site. If you limit yourself only to paid internships,
you many not find the best experience. You have to examine your situation, and determine
what you are able to manage financially. As you have heard repeatedly in your classes,
most internships are not paid. Most internships are unpaid because the student is
earning academic credit. You will be registered as a full-time student during your
internship and may be eligible to receive financial aid.

What would be the best way to go about getting an interview? How do I go about starting
contact with a possible internship site? What websites are best for finding internships?

You can contact the site directly and inquire about internships. You need go to their
website and find someone in human resources or in the area you are interested in and
contact that person by email or phone. You can write a short email just introducing
yourself, telling where you are in your program, and asking what internships might
be available during the semester you want to do your internship.

Before you begin making initial contact, you need to make sure that your application
materials are ready to be sent. Once the site responds back to you, they will ask
for your materials. You want to have them ready so that you can return them quickly
to the site.

What are the limits on choosing an internship? What kinds of jobs/internships will
and will not count for credit?

Internships must be completed with an approved sport property. Further, the activities
must be reflective of the UWG Sport Management curriculum and COSMA guidelines. Internships
with non-sport companies will not be approved unless you can demonstrate that you
will be spending your time working with sport related issues, e.g., Lowe's and their
sport sponsorship division in Charlotte, NC. Please consult with the internship instructor
before applying for internships with non-sport businesses.

What is the right timeline for securing an internship?

No one can prescribe a timeline for securing the internship. Some students will diligently
pursue internship opportunities for the entire semester only to have it confirmed
a week before the end of the pre-internship semester. Other students will be able
to squeeze the search process into a couple of weeks It is recommended that you start
as early as possible to allow time to receive a decision from the agency.

Recommendations

Start early—begin looking now at possible sites and initiating contact, look at a
wide range of opportunities-You may not realize that you really like something until
you really investigate it. Conversely, you may think that you are very well suited
for a particular position only to realize that it is not really what you thought it
was going to be.

Be ready to accept the consequences of your parameters/limitations: if you choose
to stay on campus to complete your internship rather than go somewhere else for whatever
reason, you may miss out on possible experiences you might have had elsewhere. You
need to be VERY INTENTIONAL about this decision. Your internship should springboard
your career. You will be building the foundation of your network in the sport industry. Build
a strong foundation.

Evaluate whether you would like to intern with a team or sport that will be in its
off-season. Internships with out-of-season teams can provide beneficial experiences,
however, the student will not have the opportunity to participate in "game-days."

Be prepared to make some short-term sacrifices for long-term rewards.

Summer is the most competitive time for internships because everyone is seeking summer
internships. Get started!

What is the best way to maximize my chances of getting the best internship possible?

Part of this has already taken place-if you have worked hard and performed well in
your classes, gotten involved by volunteering and attending events (speaker series,
conferences, etc.), then you have already laid a strong foundation.

Begin the process early, be intentional about your decision-making process.

Assemble strong materials: cover letter, resume, references.

Research the organizations you are interested in to prepare strong materials.

Keep up-to-date with what is going on in sport and what is happening in sport industry.
Read industry publications such as Sports Business Journal, NCAA News, or other relevant
publications for your area of interest.

Prepare for your interviews: make sure you have a proper business attire, research
the organization/person/people you will be interviewing with, review potential interview
questions, prepare questions to ask the interviewer.

Ask your professors and utilize campus resources such as the Career Center.

What if there are no internships available [or I am unable to find an internship that
I am pleased with] during the time I plan to complete my internship?

Under the guidance of the Sport Management faculty, it is your responsibility to secure
your internship. Therefore, if you are unable to secure an internship during the time
you plan to complete your internship, your graduation will be postponed until you
are able to find and complete a suitable internship.

Sport Management Admissions Requirements

Sport Management Admissions Requirements

The B.S. with a major in Sport Management consists of two phases, the sport management
and the professional content phases. The sport management phase consists of introductory
courses and the basic University Core Curriculum. The professional content phase consists
of advanced coursework specific to the field of sport management.

A soon as a student thinks he/she is interested in declaring Sport Management as a
major, it is strongly recommended that he/she schedules an advising appointment. To
find the Sport Management advisor based on your last name, click www.westga.edu/coeadvisement/index_466.php

To be accepted into the professional content phase, students must meet the requirements
as noted below.

Student must complete all of the Area A-E requirements prior to taking courses from
the professional content area. Transfer students who lack up to two courses in Areas
A-E may take specified courses concurrently during their first semester of enrollment
at UWG.

Student must complete at least 15 of the 18 hours required in Area F prior to taking
professional content courses. This includes SPMG 2600, Introduction to Sport Management,
that must be passed with a grade of C or better.

Student must have a minimum overall GPA of 2.5 before taking any professional content
courses.

Once a student has met the requirements for admission, the advisor will change their
status from pre-major to Sport Management. At this time the student may select a university
approved minor and should receive separate advising in the respective department.

Sport Management Appeals

Sport Management Appeals

While competitive academic standards have been established for admission and matriculation,
the faculty do realize that there can be events in students' lives that hinder their
ability to live up to their academic potential. The Sport Management appeals process
provides students who do not meet the admissions criteria an opportunity to document
significant circumstances that have negatively impacted their academic performance. Students
should note that this is not an opportunity to appeal the admissions standards. Rather,
the process is an opportunity for students to make the case that their prior academic
performance, due to extenuating circumstances, is not indicative of their true potential. Further,
the process allows the student to demonstrate that, if given the opportunity, they
will be able to meet the standards soon after being granted admission into the program. Appeals
will also be considered if a student has not fulfilled all of the admission requirements
due to an extenuating circumstance.

General Guidelines for Appeals

It is the student's responsibility to initiate the appeals process. This must be
done by filing the Sport Management Appeals Form along with the supporting documentation required per the Appeals Form.

Appeals applications must be delivered to an active faculty member in the Sport Management
program. The nature of the appeal will be discussed with the student's academic advisor. The
faculty member will present the appeal packet, information from the academic advisor,
and any other pertinent details to the program faculty at the regularly scheduled
program meeting. The faculty panel will deliberate and decide by majority vote whether
the appeal will be granted or denied. The student will receive written notification
from the faculty member to whom the appeal was submitted regarding the decision. The
academic advisor and department chair will be notified accordingly and take action
as necessary.

Appeals Application Recommendations

As noted earlier, the sport industry is extremely competitive to enter and the Sport
Management program has an academically rigorous curriculum. Therefore, it is in the
best interest of industry constituents, the academic program, and the students that
the faculty be selective in the admissions process and in their consideration of appeals
of admissions decisions. Below are some recommendations to guide students through
the preparation of the appeals materials. Each case will be judged on its own merits
and following these recommendations in no way guarantees that a student will be admitted
to the Sport Management program.

Recognize that admission to Sport Management is a privilege and not a right.

The rationale for the student's deficient academic performance should be substantial
and evidence should be presented that demonstrates the steps taken by the student
to overcome the challenges faced.

The Sport Management faculty is going to take a comprehensive look at your complete
academic record. It is highly recommended that the student take courses in a proposed
minor or other career-supporting courses and demonstrate to the faculty that he/she
is capable of high-level academic performance before applying for an admissions appeal.

The tone of the student's appeals materials should demonstrate that the student accepts
responsibility for his/her past performance. Also, the student should remember that
the admissions standards are not appealable.

The student should have a record that demonstrates that he/she is truly interested
in Sport Management and is not merely seeking a degree. Volunteering at sporting events,
membership and activity in the Sport Management Society and working with sport organizations
are ways in which a student can help substantiate his/her interest.

The student must convince the faculty that he/she has the ability to meet the 2.50
overall GPA requirement soon after being admitted to the program if his/her appeal
is successful.

The student should not be under any investigation or penalty related to aberrant behavior
as a student at the University (e.g., Honor Code violations, etc.) at the time of
the appeal.

Successful Appeals [These will also be included on any letters of successful appeals]

Students who have been admitted without the minimum overall GPA of 2.50 must maintain
a minimum semester GPA of 2.50 in all subsequent semesters. Students who fail to meet
this minimum semester GPA standard will be dismissed from the program and will not
be allowed to reapply for admission until they achieve a minimum overall GPA of 2.50.
All students must have a minimum overall GPA requirement of 2.50 in order to register
for SPMG 4686 Internship in Sport Management. This includes students admitted with
an overall GPA below 2.50.

All students must have a minimum overall GPA requirement of 2.50 in order to graduate.
This includes students admitted with an overall GPA below 2.50.